I’m not Mother Nature, but..... My journey hatching broody and bator chicks

[WVduckchick]

Nutri Drench is not an essential oil and to my knowledge does not need diluting. AAMOF I have given it straight to day old chicks.

I give it straight quite often. But I always follow with clear water to wash it down well. That stuff is thick! Lol

 

[aart]

Instead of the ND, check her for lice/mites,
maybe put a few pinches of permethrin on her and the nest bedding.
Great pics!

 

[Mimi13]

Instead of the ND, check her for lice/mites,
maybe put a few pinches of permethrin on her and the nest bedding.
Great pics!

Thanks a bunch on the pics.

I have checked her little bony body and she is clear of external parasites. However, should I go ahead and dust her and the nest as a precaution for her and the chicks? She is still dust bathing.

It is amazing how important a dust bath is to a chicken. Each time she comes off the nest she always gives it a few kicks and scratches around in the dirt. Some are more lengthy than others...just like us humans.

I read somewhere that Marans were known for being a ‘tidy’ breed. If I were to tag her with a human trait I would say she’s very particular. It appears she’s one to tiptoe through the mud, but also go for the gusto with a good dust bath. It’s things like this I find so intriguing about chickens. And when you sit back and watch them long enough you can find out all sorts of neat things.

 

[Mimi13]

Also I’ve wondered about vaccinations for these chicks.

My first four came from a local breeder and of course were not inoculated against anything. At that time I wasn’t aware of all the vaccines and I fed them medicated chick starter only.

My second group of 26 received the Mareks vaccine at the hatchery, ate medicated chick starter and then were vaccinated against fowl pox at 8 weeks (only because one of my originals had contracted fowl pox a year prior.)

I know Mareks is a disease I don’t want to mess with and obviously I didn’t think this one out when I set two clutches of eggs one week apart. [Side track: did I use the correct verbiage when saying I set two clutches, or should ‘clutch’ only be used when talking about what is actually under a broody?] Which brings me to my question. Is it recommended I buy two of the Mareks vaccine kits (yep, 1000 doses each) for 4 chicks and then 12 chicks, if there are no hiccups and they all make it? That would be approximately $80 with S/H and tax. I know that’s not cost effective, by any means, but I obviously am not making money on my little chicken endeavor. And also, I don’t guess I can feed them medicated feed. I’ll just get some Corrid to have on hand in case I suspect some cases of cocci.

I guess I’m just wanting others’ perspectives that have arisen from experience, the one big thing I don’t have, but am gaining. Thank you all again so very much!

 

[aart]

I have checked her little bony body and she is clear of external parasites. However, should I go ahead and dust her and the nest as a precaution for her and the chicks? She is still dust bathing.

If she's dust bathing maybe not...I'd still take a good look at her butt to be sure.
A bit paranoid as I didn't do that and found lice on the day old chick.

 

[Mimi13]

If she's dust bathing maybe not...I'd still take a good look at her butt to be sure.
A bit paranoid as I didn't do that and found lice on the day old chick.

Good deal. I will scour her this afternoon for cooties.

 

[aart]

Good deal. I will scour her this afternoon for cooties.

I find them easier to see after dark with a bright head light...
....birds are easier to catch then too
With broody tho, might be hard to get her out of nest.

 

[Mimi13]

I find them easier to see after dark with a bright head light...
....birds are easier to catch then too
With broody tho, might be hard to get her out of nest.

I still am taking her off the nest each day to take care of business. I’m not sure but the poor girl would probably already be dead if I didn’t. I hate to think of that though. She really has been wonderful with me. I’m certain I’m a PITA to her.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

 

[chickengr]

Thanks a bunch on the pics.

I have checked her little bony body and she is clear of external parasites. However, should I go ahead and dust her and the nest as a precaution for her and the chicks? She is still dust bathing.

It is amazing how important a dust bath is to a chicken. Each time she comes off the nest she always gives it a few kicks and scratches around in the dirt. Some are more lengthy than others...just like us humans.

I read somewhere that Marans were known for being a ‘tidy’ breed. If I were to tag her with a human trait I would say she’s very particular. It appears she’s one to tiptoe through the mud, but also go for the gusto with a good dust bath. It’s things like this I find so intriguing about chickens. And when you sit back and watch them long enough you can find out all sorts of neat things.

my marans are the worst piggy chickens I have, lol.